Research Study Assistant

Department: MED-Psych & Behavioral Science
Salary/Grade: NEX/9

Job Summary:

Performs biomedical &/or social-behavioral research by administering tests &/or questionnaires following protocols. Collects, compiles, tabulates &/or processes responses; gathers information. Assists in the preparation of material for inclusion in reports. Completes all activities by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

Dr. Stewart Shankman is seeking a research study assistant for his lab at Northwestern University to assist on NIMH and/or industry-funded projects. Broadly, research in the lab examines (a) basic mechanisms and risk factors underlying mood and anxiety disorders, and (b) novel treatments for these conditions. Our lab utilizes multiple methods in this work, including behavioral, physiological, neural, and genetic tools. This candidate will have the opportunity to gain experience in experimental design, recruitment, data collection and analysis. Opportunities for co-authoring manuscripts and conference presentations will also be available. The position will also provide the opportunity to learn about psychophysiological and psychopathological theory and research more broadly.

Successful applicants will have experience in psychological, neuroscience (or related area) research and quantitative data analysis and have strong organizational and writing skills.

Please note:

Supervisor provides objectives, detailed deadlines and general instructions. Work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with instructions, practice, policy and procedures. EE meets frequently with supervisor to obtain instructions regarding general phases of work and in some cases as to specific details.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Recruits study participants.
• Reviews & obtains informed consent.
• Schedules study visits with participants.
• Scores test results.
• Collects survey data.
• Facilitates communication with key personnel & participants to maintain project study flow.
• Conducts formal assessments with participants, including diagnostic interviews and neuropsychological testing
• Conducts experiments which will involve collecting electrophysiological and neuroimaging data (EEG, fMRI), running experimental tasks and data acquisition software, and session setup and cleanup

Administration

• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data; &/or preparing basic charts & graphs.
• Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.

Finance

• May process reimbursements for travel expenses.

Supervision

• May train other research staff to interview/test participants.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete Northwestern's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong writing skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Highly motivated and ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience in psychological research
• Completion of an independent research project

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience with R, Excel, SPSS, and/or brain vision analyzer
• Experience writing using APA format

Target hiring range for this position will be between $17.25 - 22.09 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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